Good morning, Saint John! Hanukkah is well underway! Wishing everyone celebrating a week full of light, good company, and all the treats that make the holiday feel special. Even in a world full of heavy news, it’s nice to pause and enjoy the sparks of joy around us 🕎.

Here’s the lowdown for the day:

Let’s get into it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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🎁 Stockings of Hope brings holiday cheer

Last year, Marlee Learmonth and her two young daughters started Stockings of Hope, a project putting a festive spin on giving back. “I saw people outside Lancaster Mall looking for help and it hit me…they probably didn’t get gifts for Christmas,” Marlee says. She wanted to teach her daughters the joy of giving while helping people living in shelters, where support isn’t always easy to find.

After donating 28 stockings last year, Marlee is aiming higher in 2025. So far, 52 stockings have been collected to cover Coverdale Women’s Shelter and 12 Neighbours on Egbert Street, with plans to help Outflow and Fresh Start, reaching 258 people in total. Donations are being accepted until December 22, with a focus on gender-neutral or male stockings. Suggested items include toiletries, socks, gloves, chocolate, books, Tim’s cards, and more.

Marlee shares, “If you can’t fill a full stocking, a few items go a long way. We’ll get the rest.” Check out the Stockings of Hope Facebook group to donate or help pack and deliver.

🔋 Point Lepreau is back online

After five months of snoozing for maintenance, Point Lepreau nuclear plant is finally back at work. The outage ran a couple weeks over thanks to a cranky turbine bearing, but NB Power checked off more than 23,000 tasks while it sat idle. When Lepreau’s down, the province spends up to $1.5 million a day finding backup power…so here’s to a fully charged start to the holidays.

🎄 The 12 Frauds of Christmas

The holidays are here, and so are the scammers. The Kennebecasis Regional Police are reminding everyone to stay sharp with the 12 Frauds of Christmas...from fake gift cards and bogus online shopping deals, to mysterious texts about tolls, vacations, or a “too-good-to-be-true” crypto win. Basically, if it sounds like Santa’s elves went rogue, double-check before clicking. Stay alert, protect your cash, and enjoy the season without the Grinchy scams.

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⚖️ Quispamsis Town Council | December 16, 2025 - 6pm

See the full agenda.

The meeting begins at 6pm in Town Hall’s Council Chamber. The public is welcome to attend in person or watch via livestream.

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Carleton Choristers Christmas Concert | December 16
The Carleton Choristers present Christmas Memories at Portland United Church, 50 Newport Cres., Saint John, on Tuesday, December 16 at 7:30pm. Originally scheduled for December 2, this postponed concert features festive music for the season. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students, and free for children 11 and under, available at the door.

Messiah – Saint John | December 17
The Saint John Symphony Chorus brings Handel’s Messiah to Trinity Anglican Church on December 17 at 7pm, led by Maestro Spencer Belyea. Soprano Lauren Estey, alto Jillian Bonner, tenor Shane Scott, and bass Paul Bustin join the chorus for an evening of soaring voices, stirring music, and festive cheer.

Holiday Skates | December 24, 26 & 31
Get into the holiday spirit on the ice with free community skates in Saint John! Enjoy Christmas Eve at Stewart Hurley and Peter Murray Arenas, Boxing Day at Charles Gorman and Stewart Hurley Arenas, and New Year’s Eve again at Stewart Hurley and Peter Murray Arenas. All skates run 2:30–4pm, helmets are recommended, and it’s a fun, festive way to get moving with family and friends.

New Year’s Eve Day Skate at the qplex | December 31
Bring your skates and helmets to the qplex on December 31 for a free indoor skate to close out 2025. Complimentary hot chocolate will be available first-come, first-served at the McCluskey Brothers canteen “Tailgaters.” Enjoy a festive skate to ring in the New Year.

James Mullinger: Unplanned. Unscripted. Off the Cuff. | January 14-16
Back by popular demand, James Mullinger returns to BMO Studio Theatre for three nights of improv stand-up on January 14-16 at 7:30pm. You choose the topics, he riffs routines on the spot, with special guest comedians kicking off the laughs. Tickets are $35, $30 for subscribers. Expect wild, unpredictable comedy for ages 14+.

Games & Grooves | January 25
Percussionists Joël Cormier and Jocelyn Blanchette turn up the heat on a chilly afternoon with Resonance New Music at BMO Studio Theatre on January 25 at 2pm. Tickets are $35, $20 for students. Expect rhythm, energy, and a playful musical journey that will have your toes tapping.

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📸 Raoul R Goguen | 📍 Saint John

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-Geoff Walsh - Publisher